a county in SW England, on the English Channel: mainly hilly but low-lying in the east: the geographical and ceremonial county consists of Dorset unitary authority and Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole unitary authority
2.
a unitary authority in SW England, forming the main part of the historic county of Dorset. Administrative centre: Dorchester. Pop: 376 600 (2019 est). Area: 2531 sq km (977 sq miles)